Count Hall of Famer Frank Gifford as among the first of the NFL players afflicted with lasting brain injuries.
The New York Giants star was diagnosed after his August death with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), the disease linked to multiple concussions and head trauma, the Gifford family announced Wednesday.
Wife Kathie Lee and other relatives, after much consideration, donated his brain for testing following the 12-year NFL veteran’s death at age 84.
Gifford “experienced first-hand” the cognitive and behavioral symptoms linked to the CTE, a family statement said without providing details of his ailments.
